Adaptations of the Institutio
Generalis Missalis Romani, editio typica tertia
for the Dioceses of the United States of America
Approved by the United States
Conference of Catholic Bishops
November 14, 2001
- All paragraph numbers refer to the Institutio Generalis
Missalis Romani, editio typica tertia.
- Bold print indicates the USA adaptation.
CONGREGATION FOR DIVINE WORSHIP
AND THE DISCIPLINE OF THE SACRAMENTS
Prot. 1381/01/L
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
In response to the request of His Excellency, the Most Reverend
Wilton D. Gregory, Bishop of Belleville, President of the
Conference of Bishops of the United States of America, made in a
letter dated November 20, 2002, and by virtue of the faculties
granted to this Congregation by the Supreme Pontiff JOHN PAUL II,
we grant recognition of the text excerpted from the English
language translation of parts of the Institutio Generalis
Missalis Romani, as found in the attached copy, and which shall
be inserted into future editions of the Roman Missal published in
English for use in the dioceses of the this same Conference.
Mention of the recognition granted by this Congregation must be
included in the published text of these norms.
All things to the contrary notwithstanding.
From the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of
the Sacraments, April 17, 2002.
+ Jorge A. Cardinal Medina Estevez
Prefect
+ Franciscus Pius Tamburrino
Archbishop-Secretary
UNITED STATES CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS
On November 14, 2001, the Latin members of the United States
Conference of Catholic Bishops approved the attached "Adaptations
of the Institutio Generalis Missalis Romani, editio typica
tertia, for the Dioceses of the United States of America."
In accord with the approval of these norms and following the
confirmation of this action by the Congregation for Divine
Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments on April 17, 2002
(Prot. 1381/01/L), they are hereby published as particular law
for all Latin celebrations of the Sacred Liturgy in the dioceses
of the United States of America.
This decree is effective immediately.
Given at the General Secretariat of the United States Conference
of Catholic Bishops, Washington, D.C. on April 25, 2002, the
feast of Saint Mark.
Most Reverend Wilton D. Gregory
Bishop of Belleville
President
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Reverend Monsignor William P. Fay
General Secretary
This adaptation will be inserted at number 43, paragraph 2:
They should, however, sit while the readings before the Gospel and the responsorial Psalm are proclaimed and for the homily and while the Preparation of the Gifts at the Offertory is taking place; and, as circumstances allow, they may sit or kneel while the period of sacred silence after Communion is observed.
This adaptation will be inserted at number 43, paragraph 3:
In the dioceses of the United States of America, they should
kneel beginning after the singing or recitation of the Sanctus
until after the Amen of the Eucharistic Prayer, except when
prevented on occasion by reasons of health, lack of space, the
large number of people present, or some other good reason. Those
who do not kneel ought to make a profound bow when the priest
genuflects after the consecration. The faithful kneel after the
Agnus Dei unless the Diocesan Bishop determines otherwise.
Entrance Chant
This adaptation will take the place of the third sentence in
paragraph 48:
In the dioceses of the United States of America there are four options for the
Entrance Chant: (1) the antiphon from the Roman Missal or the Psalm from the
Roman Gradual as set to music there or in another musical setting; (2) the seasonal
antiphon and Psalm of the Simple Gradual; (3) a song from another collection of
psalms and antiphons, approved by the Conference of Bishops or the diocesan
bishop, including psalms arranged in responsorial or metrical forms; (4) a suitable
liturgical song similarly approved by the Conference of Bishops or the Diocesan
Bishop.
Responsorial Psalm
This adaptation will be inserted at number 61, paragraph 4:
In the dioceses of the United States of America, the following may also be sung in place of the psalm assigned in the Lectionary for Mass: either the proper or seasonal antiphon and Psalm from the Lectionary, as found either in the Roman Gradual, or, Simple Gradual or in another musical setting; or an antiphon and Psalm from another collection of the psalms and antiphons ; including psalms arranged in metrical form, providing that they have been approved by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops or the diocesan Bishop. Songs or hymns may not be used in place of the Responsorial Psalm.
The Sign of Peace
This adaptation will be inserted at number 154, paragraph 2:
The priest may give the sign of peace to the ministers, but
always remains within the sanctuary, so as not to disturb the
celebration. In the dioceses of the United States of America, for
a good reason, on special occasions, (for example, in the case of
a funeral, a wedding, or when civic leaders are present) the
priest may offer the sign of peace to a few of the faithful near
the sanctuary.
[The rest of the paragraph is unaffected by this adaptation.]
Communion Chant
This adaptation will take the place of the first sentence of
number 87:
In the dioceses of the United States of America there are four options for the Communion Chant: (1) the antiphon from the Roman Missal and Psalm from the Roman Gradual as set to music there or in another musical setting; (2) the seasonal antiphon and Psalm of the Simple Gradual; (3) a song from another collection of psalms and antiphons, approved by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops or the Diocesan Bishop, including psalms arranged in responsorial or metrical forms; (4) a suitable liturgical song chosen in accordance with no.86 above.
Distribution of Holy Communion
This adaptation will take the place of number 160, paragraph 2:
The faithful are not permitted to take up the consecrated bread
or the sacred chalice themselves, and still less, hand them on to
one another. The norm for reception of Holy Communion in the
dioceses of the United States is standing. Communicants should
not be denied Holy Communion because they kneel. Rather, such
instances should be addressed pastorally, by providing the
faithful with proper catechesis on the reasons for this norm.
When receiving Holy Communion, the communicant
bows his or her head before the sacrament as a gesture of
reverence and receives the Body of the Lord from the minister.
The consecrated host may be received either on the tongue or in
the hand at the discretion of each communicant. When Holy
Communion is received under both kinds, the sign of reverence is
also made before receiving the Precious Blood.
Communion Under Both Kinds
This adaptation will take the place of number 283, paragraph 3:
In all that pertains to Communion under both kinds, the Norms for
the Distribution and Reception of Holy Communion under Both Kinds
in the Dioceses of the United States of America are to be
followed (see nos. 27-54).
Materials for Fixed Altars
This adaptation will take the place of the first two sentences of
number 301:
In keeping with the Church's traditional practice and the altar's
symbolism, the table of a fixed altar is to be of stone and
indeed of natural stone. In the dioceses of the United States of
America, however, wood which is worthy, solid, and well-crafted
may be used provided that the altar is structurally immobile.
Color of Altar Cloths
This adaptation will be inserted at number 304:
Out of reverence for the celebration of the memorial of the Lord
and the banquet which gives us his Body and Blood, at least one
white cloth should be placed on the altar where this memorial is
celebrated. The shape, size, and decoration of the altar cloth
should be in keeping with the design of the altar. When, in the
dioceses of the United States of America, other cloths are used
in addition to the altar cloth, then those cloths may be of other
colors possessing Christian honorific or festive significance
according to longstanding local usage, provided that the
uppermost cloth covering the mensa (i.e., the altar cloth itself)
is always white in color.
Materials for Sacred Furnishings
This adaptation will be inserted at number 326:
In the choice of materials for sacred furnishings, besides
traditional materials, others are acceptable if by contemporary
standards they are considered to be noble, are durable, and are
well suited for sacred use. In the dioceses of the United States
of America these materials may include wood, stone, or metal
which are solid and appropriate to the purpose for which they are
employed.
Materials for Sacred Vessels
This adaptation will be inserted at number 329:
In the Dioceses of the United States of America, sacred vessels
may also be made from other solid materials that, according to
the common estimation in each region, are precious, for example,
ebony or other hard woods, provided that such materials are
suitable for sacred use and do not break easily or deteriorate.
This applies to all vessels which hold the hosts such as the
paten, the ciborium, the pyx, the monstrance, and other things of
this kind.
Vesture for Lay Ministers
This adaptation will be inserted at number 339:
In the dioceses of the United States of America, acolytes, altar
servers, readers, and other lay ministers may wear the alb or
other suitable vesture or other appropriate and dignified
clothing.
Color of Sacred Vestments
This adaptation will be inserted at number 346:
e) Besides violet, white, or black vestments may be worn at funeral
services and at other offices and Masses for the dead in the
dioceses of the United States of America;
h) Gold or silver colored vestments may be worn on more solemn
occasions in the dioceses of the United States of America.
Readings for Mass
This adaptation will be inserted at number 362:
The adaptations to the Ordo Lectionum Missae as contained in the
Lectionary for Mass for use in the Dioceses of the United States
of America should be carefully observed.
Special Days of Prayer
This adaptation will be inserted at number 373:
Days or periods of prayer for the fruits of the earth, prayer for
human rights and equality, prayer for world justice and peace,
and penitential observances outside Lent are to be observed in
the dioceses of the United States of America at times to be
designated by the Diocesan Bishop.
In all the dioceses of the United States of America, January 22
(or January 23, when the 22nd falls on a Sunday) shall be
observed as a particular day of penance for violations to the
dignity of the human person committed through acts of abortion,
and of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of
the right to life. The Mass "For Peace and Justice" (no. 22 from
"Masses for Various Needs") should be celebrated with violet
vestments as an appropriate liturgical observance for this day.
Musical Instruments and Approval of Musical Settings
This adaptation will be inserted at number 393:
Bearing in mind the important place which singing has in
celebration, as a necessary and integral part of the Liturgy, all
musical settings of the texts for the people's responses and
acclamations in the Order of Mass and for special rites that
occur in the course of the liturgical year must be submitted to
the USCCB Secretariat for the Liturgy for review and approval
prior to publication.
While the organ is to be accorded pride of place, other
wind, stringed, or percussion instruments may be used in
liturgical services in the dioceses of the United States of
America, according to longstanding local usage, provided they are
truly apt for sacred use or can be rendered apt.